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EQB Monitor




Weekly announcements and environmental review notices





Volume 50, Number 11                                                                                          March 17, 2026






Announcements

*EIS Scoping Rule – public comment opportunity*

The EQB has issued a Notice of Submission of Exempt Rules Proposed for Adoption Without a Public Hearing; Revisor's ID R-04978, CAH Docket Number 21-9008-41465, for the EIS scoping rule amendments. Submit comments to the Court of Administrative Hearings via its eComments website [ [link removed] ] or to 600 North Robert Street, P.O. Box 64620, St. Paul, Minnesota 55164-64620. You can submit your questions, comments, and feedback on the proposed rule to the administrative law judge assigned to this rulemaking. 

*Comment period closes Tuesday, March 17, 2026, at 4:30 p.m.*

For more information on the rule and or the rulemaking process, please visit the EQB Rules and regulations webpage. [ [link removed] ]

 

*Environmental Review Implementation Subcommittee meeting*

*Wednesday, March 18, 1 – 4 p.m.
*Join us in person or virtually for the March 2026 Environmental Review Implementation Subcommittee (ERIS) meeting. At this meeting, ERIS will vote to elect a Chair and Vice Chair. The subcommittee will also hear about the 2025 Environmental Review Performance Report, get a final update on the Minnesota Environmental Review Climate Calculator, and an update on gas production rulemaking. 

More information about the meeting, including the meeting packet and virtual meeting information, can be found on the ERIS meeting webpage [ [link removed] ].

 

*Environmental Review 101: Minnesota Conservation Explorer & Natural Heritage Review*

Join EQB staff and Jim Drake, Natural Heritage Review Specialist at the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) for a webinar on using the Minnesota Conservation Explorer [ [link removed] ] (MCE) to address EAW Question 14. This session will cover the data available in the MCE, its use in conservation planning and environmental review, and step-by-step guidance for requesting natural heritage review documentation.

*Date:* Tuesday, March 31
*Time:* 10:00-11:00 a.m.
Register on Teams [ [link removed] ]

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.






Gorgeous Red Fox in her Winter Coat




Environmental review project notices

EQB publishes environmental review notices provided by responsible governmental units. For more information on a project undergoing environmental review, click on the individual project links below. You can also find information about active projects in your community on the Environmental Review Projects Interactive Map [ [link removed] ].

 

Monticello Technology Campus and Scannell Technology Park

*Location*: Monticello Township, Wright County
*Process:* Petition
*Step:* Responsible governmental unit assigned

*Responsible governmental unit and contact:* City of Monticello, Rachel Leonard <[email protected]>,
763-271-3275

 

Bruening Pit

*Location: *Carrolton Township, Fillmore County
*Process: *Petition
*Step: *EAW need decision

*Responsible governmental unit decision: *EAW Required
*Responsible governmental unit decision date: *Mar 10, 2026

*Responsible governmental unit and contact: *Fillmore County, Blake Lea <[email protected]>, 507-765-3325

 

Kohnen Property [ [link removed] ]

*Location (city/township; county): *St. Michael; Wright
*Process: *EAW
*Step: *EAW available
*End of comment period: *April 16, 2026

*Project description: *The Kohnen project is a proposed low-density residential development consisting of approximately 364 single-family homes on a 149.6 acre existing agricultural field in St. Michael, Wright County, Minnesota. It is located in the southeast quadrant of 15th St NE and Kadler Ave NE and will include a new internal roadway network, stormwater features, and the installation of municipal sanitary sewer and water utilities.

*Location of public documents:* St. Michael City Hall, 1180 Town Center Drive, St. Michael, MN 55376

*Responsible governmental unit and contact: *City of Saint Michael, Marc Weigle <[email protected]>,
763-416-7932

 

Nobles County Data Center AUAR [ [link removed] ]

*Location (city/township; county): *Summit Lake Township; Nobles
*Process: *Large AUAR
*Step: *Draft order for review
*End of comment period: *April 16, 2026

*Project description: *The AUAR study area encompasses an area of approximately 959 acres on 13 parcels in Summit Lake Township and Elk Township, Nobles County, Minnesota. Geronimo Power is proposing to develop the majority of the study area from existing agricultural and rural residential uses to a data center. Three scenarios are proposed for evaluation in the AUAR. Development of the study area could include new infrastructure, including water service, sewer, stormwater, roadway improvements and an internal roadway network, and utilities. All new services would be extensions to existing infrastructure, new site-specific infrastructure including on-site septic systems, or upgrades to existing systems to support the proposed development within the AUAR Study Area. It is anticipated that the development will occur in multiple phases with full build out of the AUAR Study Area by 2035. A general timeline and potential phasing will be discussed in the AUAR.

*Location of public documents:* Nobles County Public Works, 960 Diagonal Road,
Worthington, MN 56187

*Responsible governmental unit and contact: *Nobles County, Mark Koster <[email protected]>, 507-295-5200

 

Prior Lake Annexation Area [ [link removed] ]

*Location (city/township; county): *Prior Lake; Scott
*Process: *AUAR
*Step: *Revised AUAR
*End of objection period (for state agencies and Met Council only):  *March 31, 2026

*Project description: *The Prior Lake Annexation Area AUAR study area encompasses approximately 2,730 acres located in the southwest corner of Prior Lake, Scott County, Minnesota. The study area includes the Orderly Annexation Area of Spring Lake Township as well as adjacent areas within the City of Prior Lake. Two development scenarios are being studied. Scenario 1 is consistent with the land uses in the existing comprehensive plan and Scenario 2 involves a higher density of residential development. Both scenarios also include varying amounts of retail, business park, and industrial development.
Prior Lake Annexation Area project link provided by RGU [ [link removed] ]

*Location of public documents:* City of Prior Lake, 4646 Dakota Street SE, Prior Lake,
MN 55372

*Responsible governmental unit and contact: *City of Prior Lake, Jason Wedel <[email protected]>,
952-447-9815

 

Fish kill reports

Minnesota Duty Officer reports pertaining to fish kills are summarized in the following table, in accordance with 103G.216, REPORTING FISH KILLS IN PUBLIC WATERS, Subd. 2 Reporting Requirement. These reports were received via the Minnesota Duty Officer prior to the submission deadline for this edition of the EQB Monitor. They represent the raw data/information provided by callers. For more information regarding fish kills in Minnesota see the Department of Natural Resources [ [link removed] ]. Call the Minnesota Duty Officer at 651‐649‐5451 or 800‐422‐0798 to report fish kills.

*Date*



*Location*



*County*



*Waterbody*



*Species*



*Count*



3/8/2026



Shoreview



Ramsey



Snail Lake



Not specified, Not specified



50



3/10/2026



Emmons



Freeborn



Lime Creek



Not specified



Thousands



 

Submit a notice to the "EQB" "Monitor"

The "EQB Monitor" is a weekly publication announcing environmental review documents, public comment periods and other actions of the Environmental Quality Board. The "EQB Monitor" is published every Tuesday at noon. Submissions to the "EQB Monitor [ [link removed] ]" are due by 4:00 p.m. on the Tuesday one week prior to the intended publication date. Please see the EQB Monitor schedule [ [link removed] ] for more details.

 

To submit a notice for publication:

Access the EQB monitor submission service [ [link removed] ]

 

Questions? Contact EQB by phone at 651-757-2873 or email us at [email protected]. 

For more information on environmental review, please visit the EQB website or contact us at [email protected].


















Minnesota Environmental Quality Board

*Environmental Quality Board | eqb.state.mn.us [ [link removed] ] *

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